Latch.



J. H. LAWRENCE.

LATCH.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 18, 1915.

Patented Jan. 4, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

J. H. LAWRENCE.

LATCH.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 18, 1915 1, 166,998, I Patented Jan. 4, 1916.

- 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

;.--;- Theplate Tie 'di sposed'projectioiis 11, having flanges '12 UNITED strarnsra'rnnr OFFICE.

JOHN H. LAWRENCE, or STERLING, ILLINOIS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

LATCH.

Patented Jan. 4,1916.

Application filed. June 18, 1915.' Serial No. 34,928.

To all whom it'mayconcern: [Be itknown-that I, JOHN H. LAWRENCE, a citizen of-theUnited States, residing at Sterling, in tliecounty of Whiteside and State of Illinois, liaveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Latches, of which the following is a specification;

- My invention pertains to latches, of that class which are employed in securing barndoors, gates, and similar swinging objects in closed'position.

The device is designed to be formed almost entirely of sheet-metal, resulting in a simple and'durable construction and arrangement of the parts, and a-minimum cost of production. My invention also contains novel means whereby the same may be readily adjusted to closures of varying thicknesses, when the parts thereof are' being secured in position; also means for locking the movable parts of thevlatchjfrom movement, when the door or gate is closed. ,In' thedrawings': Figure 1 is a plan view .of the :inner face of the latch, in position with the latch extended. Fig. 2 is a 'similar view, with the latch withdrawn." Fig. 315

a vertical longitudinal section vertically of the latch and" companion handle'therefor. Fig.4 is anend view of the latch. Fig. 5

isa'a plan-yiewof ablank from which'the plate "61is formed. 'Fig. dis a plan view'of the'handle-plate 7, as the same appears be-. fore the handle is attached thereto.

-'-=1 represents a; casing, providedwith flanges 2,having openings 3 whereby such casing canbe securedin place by screws or otherfastening devices. The casing 1 is centrallyprovided with a circular opening 4, a ortion of the casing surrounding'such opening beingpressed outwardly to form a rim 5. I

'6 is a plateof a modified Maltese cross pattern, which is positioned -'on' the inner face of the casing 1,with its ends projecting into engagement with the rim 5.-" On thejoutside oftlie-casing is-a handle-plate 7, having a central depressed portion" 8, projecting inwardly into-the opening 4-of the casing, and in contact with the-plate 6, to which it'is attached by means of ears 9 on the plate 6 projecting'- outwardly thr'ough' perfora- 'tions 1Q in the-plate7, andvbent downwardly thereon'z I provided with ;-opp'ositely inwardly at approximately which are bent inwardly into engagement with the ends of aliandle 13 to secure said handle to such plate. By turning the handle the plate 6 is'given a partial rotation, for the purpose hereinafter set forth. By reason of the plates 6 and 7 embracing the casing at the edge ofthe opening 4: very snugly there is no looseness of the handle, such as would permit a lateral rocking thereof.

Slidable within the casing is a latch, comprising a bolt member 14 at one end thereof, and a housing 15 at the opposite end, such parts being united by plates 16, which are bent outwardly to form a pair of loops 17, adapted tobe engaged by projections 18 on the plate 6. The plates'lti are also bent inwardlyto form a pair of recesses 19, which accommodate the projections 18 when the plate 6 isturned', as shown in Fig. 2, or when thrown in the opposite direction. The bolt 14, housing 15, and plates 16 are preferably formed from one sheet of .metal, stamped in the'proper shape, and then bent to form the several parts. The plate 6 is also preferably formed from one piece of metal, as shownin F ig. 5, two of the ends of the plate 'beingprojected into fianges20 with which the'parts 18 are integral, the flanges 20 being first'bent upwardly at a right angle to the plate 6, and then the projections 18 bent a right angle to the parts 20.

Within the housing 15 is a coiled spring 21, one end of which bears against the end 22 ofthe housing and the other end against a projection 23 at the end of the casing. By this means the bolt 14 is held normally in extended or locking position, and returned thereto after having been withdrawn. It will be evident that by turning the handle 13 in either direction one or other ofthe projections 18'will engage the adjacent loop 11 to'move the bolt inwardly,-as shown in Fig. 2.; The'ends of the" loops are preferablyrounded, as shown, whereby the parts 18 have a partial rocking action thereon, reducing the friction ofsuch parts. The outer end of the housing 15 is on theoutside of the casing 1",'-and is projected upwardly into a tongue 24'provided with an opening 25, which is normally in register with a similar opening 26 inone end of the handle 13'.

or similar fastening device, such locking preventing a side movement of the handle to turn the plate 6 or an outwai'd movement of the housing 15, resulting in a double locking of such parts. The belt H passes through an opening in one end of the casing, a part of the casing being partially cut away to form such opening, and bent inwardly to provide a support or guide 28 for the bolt, so as to prevent displacement thereof on its inner movement.

lfhe plate 7 is provided with a central openiiig .29, in which is fixed a sleeve 30, rectan ular in cross-section, which sleeveis of sulllcierit length to project beyond the casing l at its inner end, and into an open- 31 formed in the door, indicated in part atllQ, A plate 33 is adapted to be secured to the outer face of the door passing, through an opening in whichis a spindle 3+}, similar in shape to the sleeve 30, and capable of rotating the same. Fixed to the spindle 34 is a pl ate 3:3, with which is connected a handle 36, by menns 'of ears 3 7. Release of the handle is preventedby means of a collar 38 on they spindle 34, on the inside of, the plate 33. flfhe p arts goand 311 have a slidable or telescopic relagon, so that the same are readily adjusts le to doors of varying thickmesses. By meansof the handle 36 andconnecting parts the late (i can be easily actuated from that si e of the door opposite to thelatch, to withdraw the bolt,

The casing 1 can be formed of one sheet of metal, pressed into proper shape. The handle plate and appurtenant parts can also be formed from one piece of metal, as indicated in Fig. 6, and the plate 35 can be simil" rly produced, The handles 13 and 36 are also con s tjructe of "thin metal, bent into proper form, There are therefore no parts about the device tvhic h call for cast'ngs, or the labor that attends the making an finishin of suclrheavicr parts.

, lVhat I laim as my invention, and desire 't'o s e cur'e by Letters latent of the United Stat'es i's: v. 4 .i

1 a device of the class described, a casing adapted to be secured to the face of a door and provided with a central circular opening; a handle-plate having a suitable handle 'and' provided with a circular depressed portion rotatable in said opening and a p urality Ofradial perforations; a platejon the inside of said casing rovided with a pair of inwardly projecting ugs and having a plurality of cars adapted to engage said perforations and lock said plates together pa latch slidable in said casing comrising a bolt atone end thereof and a housmg at the o 'posite end, united by a pair of plates; a pan of loops sti'ucklaterally from said la st-named platesadapted ,to be enag s bysaid lugsto operatesaid latch; and meansjor holding said "latch in extended pa d 2. In a device, of the class described, a

casiiig adapted to be secured to the face of a door and provided with a central circular opening; a handle-plate having a suit-able handle and provided with a circular depressed portion rotatable in said opening and a plurality of radial perforations; a plate on the inside of said casing provided with a pair of angular projections and a plurality of ears adapted to engage said perforations and lock said plates together; a latch slidable in said casing comprising a bolt and apair of parallel plates struck 'outwardly into a pair of loops provided with rounded ends having, a rocking engagement with said projections and inwardly bent portions to accommodate the movement of said projections; and means for holding said latch in extended position.

3. In a device of the class described, a casing adapted to be secured to the face of a door and provided with a central circular opening, a handle-plate having a suitable handle and provided with a circular depressed po-rtion rotatable in said opening; a plate on the inside of said casing rigidly attached to said. handle-plate and provided with a pair of inwardly extending projections; a latch slidable in said casing comprising a bolt at one end thereof and a housmg at theiopposite end, united by a pair of plates, said housing being operable partially within and partially without said casing; a pair of loops formed laterally from said platesand adapted to be engaged by said projections; a spring in said housing ad'aited to hold sai'd latch normally in exten ed position; and means on the outer end of said housing for engagement with said handle to lock the same'from movement.

4, In a device ofthc class described, a latch adapted to be formed from one piece of sheet metal, comprising a'bolt at one end thereof and a housing at the opposite end and a pair of plates uniting said bolt and housing and bent laterally at a central point to form a pair of loops with rounded engagin ends, and inwardly at a point between said bolt and loops to form a pair of angular recesses.

5, In a device of the class described, a casing adapted to be secured to the face of a door; ahandle rotatably mounted in said casing and provided with an opening in one of its ends latch-operatin g means, connected with said handle; a latch slidable in said casing and provided with means coti perating with said latch operating mechanism; means for holdi'ng said latch normally inrextended position; and a tongue projected from said latch onthe outside of the casing, and rovided with an opening normally in register with the opening ,in -said handle, whereby said parts may be locked from movement.

Q. n a dev ce of the class described; a casing adapted to be secured to the face of a door; and provided with a central circular opening; a handle held in rotatable relation to said casing; a plate on the inside of said casing, fixed to said handle, and provided with latch engaging means; a latch slidable in said casing and provided with means for engagement with said last named means; a sleeve fixed, centrally of said handle and projecting through and beyond said casing; an auxiliary handle, secured to the opposite face of the door fro-m that to which said casing is attached; and a spindle operable by said last-named handle, and having a sliding relation with said sleeve, said sleeve being operable thereby to actuatev said latch from the opposite side of the door therefrom.

7 A device of the class described, comprising a casing, adapted to be secured to the face of a door, and provided with a central circular opening; a handle having a portion rotatable in said opening; a plate on the inside of said casing, rigidly secured to said handle, and provided with latch by a pair of plates, and provided with means 7 for engagement with said last-named means; a sleeve fixed centrally of said handle and projecting through and beyond said casing; an auxiliary handle, secured to the opposite face of the door from the casing; and a spindle operable by said last-named handle, having a telescopic engagement with said sleeve, and adapted to operate the same to cause a movement of said latch from the opposite side of the door therefrom.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN H. LAWRENCE. Witnesses:

W. N. HAsKnLL, FRANK W. HASKELL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G. 

